Automatic telegraph transmitter system



, Feb. 20, 1945. w, BACON Q 2,369,935

' AUTOMATIC TELEGRAPH TRANSMITTER SYSTEM Filed May 14, 1942 //vv/v TOR W M BACON A T TORNEV .in transmission.

Patented Feb. 20, 1945 g UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AUTOMATIC TELEGRAPH SMiT'IER. I SYSTEM Walter M. Bacon, New York,.N. Y assignor to Bell Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated, New York, N. Y.-, 'acorporation of New York Application May 14, 1942, Serial No. 142;910

11 claims.

This invention relates to systems wherein a plurality of tape or similarly controlled telegraph transmitters are connected to a line for transmission one at a time and in which one transmitter preference so that the others cannot transmit with several different routines or ofiice procedures. Before discussing these the system will be described in detail'by reference to. the draw ing in which the essential features are diagrammed in a single circuital diagram with conventional symbols indicatingthe mechanical ele I ments. 4 1

whilethe storage of the. first is provided with transmissible material, and a second has preference over a third and subsequent others, etc. The present system is to.be distinguished from such arrangements as it differs in its fields of possible application and mode of operation. 'Thus, for example, ina system ofthe prior type'where in many short messages are supplied tothe first transmitter tokeep it fully occupiedfor'long'pv.

riods of time and long messages are supplied to subsequent transmitters, the storage of the subsequent transmitters would be filled beyond the practicable limit. In accordance with the sysv tem of the present invention, each transmitter will receive occasional opportunities to" transmit, whereas in a reference system one transmitter might receive sufficient transmissible material to occupy the line for indefinitely long periods of time. Thus with the" present System, shdrt-messages may be supplied to one transmitter and long messages toanotner, and the first could be given more frequent opportunities to transmit; thus. preventing undue delay in the traits-mission of any of the messages.

Furthermore, systems are known in which The'principal-e-Iements of the system are a plu rality of transmitters Tl, T2, T3, and T4 having their transmitting contacts included serially in a common line conductor L; a stepping switch S having three banks of contacts and a stepping magnet l5; and interconnecting circuits.

Each transmitter TI-T4 comprises a driving motor I., which may becommon to all the transent invention,-transmission is shiftedv from: one;

transmitter to another by absence of tape from the one transmitter which; at the momentv is transmitting. a

Therefore, an object of the invention is to provide transmitter systems *of increased. flexibility and efiicien'cy and to avoidexcessive delays 1 The 3 system may be employed 7 in accordancewith switch arms the distributors to bereleased to revolve one cycle for each code combination.- A start magnet 4 releases the latch '3. A distributor 5 distributes the successive elements of the code combinations as sensed by tape controlled contacts 6. A tape stepping mechanism' (not shown) may be of anyusualor knowntype for stepping the tape forward between thetransmission of successive code combinations. The tape 1 is perforated with code combinations to controlthe sensing pins in their operation of sensing the successive code combinations. A pin 8 which is pressed upwardly by a spring rides along the tape in the sensin head and as long astape is present in the sensing head the-pin 8 is held down and holds the contact 9 closed. A keyboard perforator KBDP'ERF'. or a reperforator may be provided in connection with each transmitter and when so provided the start magnet 4 may have included in its circuit a contact I!) which is opened by ataut tape. The circuit o-f the start magnet may also be opened by a'manually operable switch I I Furthermore,

the circuits of the respective start magnets 4' may be opened by the respectivecontacts IZA-IZ D of the several relays I 3A 3B, (30.1315. Each contact [LA- 12 D is closed only when the associated. relays- 13A, etc. are energized by closure of their associated contact 9.

The-pint is so arranged that insertion of a piece of tape inthe sensing head with which the is associated depresses the pin and closes the contact 9 and when the tape runs out of the sensing head the pin 8 rises and opens the contact s. I M v .A switchS is illustrated as a 22-point type I4 so arranged that upon stepping from point 22- it steps upon point I and proceedsinsequence over points to 22. Other similartypes ofswitches having the same or other numbers of contacts may obviously be used. A stepping magnet I5 opens its own circuit upon each operation and upon the return of its armature to the released position it actuates the arms M one step forward to the next contact. Such a switch, in and of itself, together with its stepping magnet I5, is a known instrumentality.

From the armatures of each of relays I3A, etc.

three conductors l6, l1, and 18 lead to the contact points of switch S. Conductor l6 leads to contacts I, 3, 5, I, 9, H, l3, l5, and H of bank l; conductor I! leads to the corresponding contacts of bank 2 and conductor l8 leads to the corresponding points or contacts of bank 3.

Conductors I9, 20, and 2| .extend from the armatures of relay I33 and lead to the second, eighth, and fourteenth points of the respective banks I, 2, and 3.

Conductors 22, 23, and 24 lead to the fourth, tenth, and sixteenth point or contacts on the respective banks of contacts.

Conductors 25, 26, and 21 lead to the sixth, twelfth, and eighteenth points on the respective banks of contacts.

The unassigned terminals of the No. 3 bank are connected to ground as shown in the drawing. Unassigned terminals I9, 2 2!, and 22 of the other banks are left idle. These unassigned points may be connected to other relays, such as ISA-i313, associated with other transmitters or may be connected to some relays l3Al3D to give some transmitters other turns of transmission. In the specific arrangement disclosed, no transmitter is associated with two immediateh succeeding contacts of switch S.

Mechanisms of tape transmitters including sensing pins 8 for closing a contact 9 have been used heretofore and no claim is herein made to novelty in such an arangement per se except in combination with other instrumentalities as herein set forth.

The condition for operation of a relay l3A-l3D is that the associated contact 9 is closed. A path is then closed from battery, left armature of the operated relay or relays l3A-l3D, stepping magnet l5, arm l4, contact of bank 3 to an open point at another armature of the operated relay or relays l3A-l3D.

When a relay I3A-I3D releases this path will be closed from some other left armature of relays l3A-|3D (if any is operated) to step the switch arms 14.

The operation will now be described on the assumption that a transmitter T3 is provided with a length of perforated message tape and that the third transmitter T3 is operating and. transmitter Tl is provided with additional tape to keep the tape arm down and contact l0 closed.

Transmitter T3 will continue to operate with momentary pauses if contact I0 associated there-'- with becomes open. At the end of a message or at another suitable interval the operator of the KBD. PERF. of transmitter T3 will transmit several special or feed-out code combinations and cut off the tape with a scissors or break it adjacent the keyboard perforator. Transmitter T3 will then continue to transmit until the tape has passed through the sensing head and transmitted the last significant code combination, whereupon the pin 8 will arise to open the contact 9.

Assuming now that no other contact 9 is closed, then relay I30 releases and nothing further happens except that the slow operating relay 28 will release. The system would then await a supply of tape to some transmitter sensing head. If, however, as we have assumed, an operator has perforated tape with the keyboard perforator of transmitter Ti and has inserted the head end of the tape into the sensing head of the transmitter T5, the release of relay will find relay I3A- operated which will close a path from battery upon the armature of relay ISA, over the left front contact of relay 13A, through the stepping magnet IS, the arm i l, the fourth contact of bank 3, the right-hand back contact of relay I3C to ground. This will cause the magnet l5 to operate and immediately release, thereby stepping the switch one step, whereupon the arm M will now be connected to the fifth contact of bank 3 which will lead over conductor I8 to the open contact at the right-hand armature of relay i3A.

Slow operating relay 28 will release when relay I3C releases.

When the switch arms l4 pass to the fifth contact of switch S conductor 18 will extend to an open back contact on relay [3A and open the path through the stepping magnet l5; conductor ll will energize relay 28 which will operate slowly enough to permit the transmitter T3 to settle down into a stop condition and the line L to be closed. Ultimate operation of relay 28 will close a path over conductor It so that upon the closure of switch H3 or, if switch If) is already closed, the transmitter TI being supplied with tape, will begin to operate.

When the tape runs out of transmitter T! a similar sequence of operations will take place and if transmitter T2 is then provided with tape transmitter T2 will transmit until the tape runs out of its sensing head whereupon transmitter Tl will have another opportunity to transmit before transmitter T3 and after transmitter T3 has an opportunity to transmit transmitter T! will then have another test and opportunity to transmit before transmitter T4.

Transmitter Tl has three times as many opportunities to transmit as transmitters T2, T3, and T4 but the ratio may be changed by changing the wiring of switch S or by utilizing the unused nineteenth to twenty-second contacts. These contacts are shown connected only to ground upon bank 3 of the switch to provide a stepping path for the magnet l5. Thus, the wiring could be changed to give transmitter Tl, nine turns; transmitter T2, five turns; transmitter T3, three turns; and transmitter T4, one turn per cycle of switch S, or the transmitters Tl, T2, T3 could each have five turns and transmitter TG three turns without utilizing any of the blank contacts on the banks of switch S.

According to one routine of operation, transmitters Pl-T4 could each be provided with tape by an operator. These operators and their respective machines could be in the same room or in locations somewhat remote from one another, subject only to the possible limit of extension of the conductor systems 29, 30, 3|, and 32. Each operator would be instructed not to hold the line idle for extended periods by allowing her taut contact tape to remain open. In the case of such opening she should cut or break the tape and terminate transmission from her transmitter and its associated distributor.

According to another routine of operation, the keyboard perforators may be replaced by typing or non-typing reperforators which are supplied witlrperioratedtape by incoming'lines or chair nels'-and an attendant may cut the tape at appropriateti'rnjesand places at the ends of messages andrethreacl it into the associated transmittersat appropriatei'ntervals. l According to another routine of operation, the

tapes may be supplied tothe several-transmitters bymalhflally transporting. the-tape in pieces or lengths prepared by one or more perforators located at convenient places. I Tapes-representing of, a program system'for testing said transmitters short or urgent or'short and urgent messages may then". be" threaded. 'intol'transmitter 'll, for example, an'd' 'long' messages into transmitter T2,

ing each complete cycle of the program establish.

ing'switch S. Current messagetapes could then be supplied to transmitters TI and T2 and long messages, such as day orders, could be supplied or T4; Transmitters T3 and T4w0uld then 'be' given occasional opportunities to transmit the long messages whenever the system would otherwise be idle and-yet transmitters TI and T2 could always be given sufiicient numbers of turnsof transmitters to clear out all urgent messages. In such case, one attendant could supply tapes to one or more or all of the transmitters perhaps in connection with other duties. The tapes could be punched or' prepared by other operators or attendants or it could be taken from reperforators connected with receiving lines and assorted for further'transmission.

The stepping switch and associated parts may be considered'as a, search device for examining said transmitters for transmissible material and initiating transmission when such material is found.

' What is claimed is: I

1. A telegraph system, a telegraph transmission path, a plurality of storage controlled telegraph transmitters capable of transmitting over said path, a cyclically operable program system and I apparatus responsive tothe supply of stored signals for each of said transmittersjor conditioning said program system, means responsive to the operation of said program system for starting said transmitters one at a time, and circuit connections in said program system for causing one of said transmitters to transmit more frequently during said program than another of said transmitters. V

s 2. A plurality'of telegraph transmitters associated with an outgoing line, a system local to said transmitters for cyclically assigning opportuni-,

ties to transmit to said transmitters, said system comprising means for testing each transmitter for transmissible material, and initiating transmission from it if-it .is so supplied withtransgram" cycle, and-means -sa-id system for test: ing atleast onetransmitter more often than the others during said'cycler i'.- A- plurality of telegraph transmitters associated with an outgoingline', each said transmitter having a transmitting head for sensing message material incident to transmission therefor transmissible material and initiatingtransmission therefrom, when transmissible material is present, in a predeterminedsuccession, means whereby some transmitters are so tested more frequently than others, means controlled jointly byexhaustion of'the tape-at the transmitting head o'fatransmitting transmitter and by the presence of transmissible material for some other transmitter for initiating testing'of said transmitters' 5. A pluralityof telegraph transmitters ofthe type controlled by perforated tape and eachhavinga tape sensing point associated with an outin'single section of the tape to transmitter T3 missible material, at least once during each cycle,

and means in said system for testing at least one transmitter more often than another transmitter during said cycle.

3. A plurality of telegraph transmitters assomissiblematerial at least once during each pro ciated with an outgoing line, asystem local to from it if it isso supplied terial at least once during going line, a system local to said transmitters for cyclically assigning opportunities to transmit to saidtransmitters, said, system comprising means for testing each transmitter for perforated tape at the sensing point and initiating transmission with transmissible maeach cycle, and means in said system for testing at least one transmitter more often than another during said cycle.

6. A plurality of telegraph transmitters associated withan outgoing line, a system local to said transmitters for cyclically assigning to said transmitters opportunities to transmit in accordance with a program, said system comprising means for automatically testing each transmitter for transmissible material and initiating transmission from it if it is so supplied with transmissible material at least once during each program cycle, means in said system for testing at least one transmitter more often than the others during said cycle, and means controlled by eX- haustion of the transmissible material from any transmitter currently engaged'in transmission for initiating a test of another transmitter. I 7. A plurality of telegraph transmitters associated with an outgoing telegraph transmission channel, a program system local to said transa mitters for cyclically assigning opportunities to said transmitters for the initiating of transmission, means for initiating transmission upon each test of a transmitter if the transmitter is supplied at the instant of test with transmissible material, said program system including a stepping switch having successive contacts associated with, different of said transmitters, and means operable upon the termination of transmission from any one transmitter to step'said switch when conditioned, and apparatus for conditioning said stepping switch to so step in case some other transmitter is supplied with transmissible material.

8. A plurality of telegraph transmitters associatedwith an outgoing telegraph transmission channel, a program system local to said transmitters for cyclically assignin opportunities to said transmitters for the initiating of transmission, means for initiating transmission upon each test of atransmitter if the transmitter is, supplied at the instant of test with transmissible material, said program system including a stepping switch having successive contactsassociated with different of said transmitters, means operable upon the termination of transmission fromany one transmitter to step said switch when conditioned,

and apparatus for conditioning said stepping switch to so step in case some other transmitter is supplied with transmissible material, and means to cause said switch to continue to step until it arrives at a contact associated with a transmitter supplied with transmissible material.

9. A telegraph channel of transmission, a plurality of tape controlled transmitters for transmitting telegraph signals over said channel, apparatus local to said transmitters for determining the presence of tape in said transmitters, a stepping switch having a plurality of terminals one of which is assigned to each of said transmitters and a plurality of which are assigned to at least one of said transmitters, apparatus for causing the operation of said transmitters one at a time when said stepping switch engages a terminal assigned to the respective transmitters, control circuits for stepping said switch -responsive to said apparatus for determining the presence of tape in each of said transmitters including apparatus for stepping said switch when the tape passes out of an operating transmitter and also including apparatus for stepping said switch past terminals assigned to transmitters notsupplied with tape.

10. A system of message transmitters, means for variably and at intervals supplying said transmitters with transmissible material, a hunting system local to allof said transmitters for hunting over said transmitters according to a program whenever any one is supplied with transmissible material and initiating transmission from the first discovered to be so supplied, and means whereby one of said transmitters is examined 'more frequently than another during said program.

11. A plurality of telegraph transmitters associated with an outgoing line, each of said transmitters having sensing means for sensing stored message material incident to the transmission thereof, a program system for testing said transmitters in predetermined succession for stored message material available for transmission and initiating transmission thereof when stored message material is found to be available for transmission, a stepping switch included in said program system, apparatus responsive to the presence of storage material available for transmission in any of said transmitters for initiating operation of said stepping switch, and means responsive to the operation of any of said transmitters for arresting the operation of said stepping switch.

WALTER, M. BACON. 

